Sorry for such a short part. But nevertheless enjoy. Shall update again on Friday. Thank you all again for your patience.
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Pride and Prejudice - Part 15 - https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/42651116
Part 14
She fumed but was too proud to ask him and sat there burning with curiosity as he slowed down and turned into the next main road at the junction near Mithibai College.. It was evening and peak traffic time and thus she let him concentrate as even with the windows closed she could hear the honking of the horns and shouts of angry drivers trying to manoeuvre through the usual mayhem and mania... as he turned to the right and followed S V Road... towards Nanavati Hospital... After half an hour they arrived finally as he parked inside a small dilapidated apartment building 3 storied high... it looked abandoned and she glanced at his profile as he quickly grabbed the file from the back as well as his laptop and opened the door... she sighed as her intrigue got the better of her ire and she followed him out sensing that he truly meant it when he asked her to design his clinic...
He waited for her to get out of the car, she stepped out daintily and shut the door behind her and moved but jerked gasping... He frowned and they both turned simultaneously as they saw her delicate chiffon dupatta was stuck in the fender of the car.. near the mud guard, biting her lip she instantly leaned forward to extricate it out but it just would not budge... A smile hovered on his lips as he saw her struggle and then sighing moved forwards and leaned forwards with one hand tugged at the material at the same time taking care that it did not tear... it came off and he moved on without so much as a second glance... Firming her lips and also glaring at the edge that had got stuck as if chiding it.. 'why did you not get dislodged when I tried.. humph!!' Her second track snickered... as she whispered under her breath 'Shut up..' He smiled as she followed him feeling a strange thrill again.. none had yet seen his clinic.. since he had bought it almost 5 months ago... It was initially a path lab and one room was good enough for him to use as consultation room... but he needed to convert this fully into a functional clinic with all equipment that he needed...
As he entered the main consultation room on the ground floor she looked already mentally visualising and making notes for changes... She was so caught up in her inspection that she did not notice that he had stopped inside the room and was waiting arms crossed across his chest for her to say something knowing form the look on her face that she was already planning... He took the time to actually study her face... her features.. so simple yet they had a classic beauty... his heart quickened its pace and he felt his throat go dry suddenly... he licked his lips and remembered their softness again when he had kissed her earlier in the afternoon... his eyes drew to the nibbling of her lower lip with a deep intent in her eyes so lost in her own world... and he suddenly felt an urge to trace that perfect bow with his fingers... his lips... he jerked at his own wayward and inexplicable thoughts and she took exactly that time to look at him with guilty colour seeping onto her face making her appear even more beautiful... "Oh.. sorry.. I.." He waived her apology away and spoke.. rather gruffly... "No.. exactly why I brought you here... " She looked around in awe and murmured "This is nice place.. for a clinic... yes... very nice..."
He gave her a guided tour of the whole place and then gave her the detailed plans... she nodded her professionalism giving a sheen of confidence lending even more grace to her beauty... as she looked at the plans and murmured... "Do you have a soft copy?".. and he nodded and murmured.. "On my hard drive, I will put it all on a CD and give it to you by tomorrow if that is fine... " She absently nodded as she glanced at the blue prints... already her creative juices running... as a slow smile appeared and she frowned again marauding that lower lip as he spoke softly... "Jingles..." she jerked just a bit visibly but did not look up... and the lip was mercifully released as she replied in a preoccupied "Hmmm..." As if busy in inspecting some detail on the blue print... and was the least prepared for his next statement... "The contract is ready..." The prints slipped from her hands... as she caught the folder just in time and her head snapped up at the same time.. all the pleasure that she had felt till now flying out of the window...
He looked grimly feeling a heel as he saw the colour of her eyes darken till the two resembled like a pair of burning coal embers... but she did not say anything.. as if waiting for him to speak something which make the volcano erupt... He suddenly closed his eyes and moving to the window that over looked the back side of the building which fortunately had a small parking lot... a dilapidated garden with a few trees swaying gently in the soft breeze as the evening sun lent its golden orange hues... casting shadows... his hair too ruffled gently in the breeze as he spoke... "Look Jingles, I know, this is not right.. meaning.. playing with the emotions of our loved ones.. in fact if its any consolation, I feel like a total low down heel and a jerk right now.. but.. having said all this, I still want to go ahead as per my proposal... please.. please consider it.. And then in the end, I respect your decision.. after this.. if you feel, that it is still not what you want, then I shall do the needful.. I.. I will inform our parents that after all it is not what we wish..."
She felt weak and closed her eyes for a moment... having heard him out.. her heart went out at the stance he took... feeling for the first time a compassion.. a feeling of overwhelming love... she knew it this was not her rational brain thinking and it was her heart that was thinking she let out her breath in a sigh making him turn to look at her in quizzical concern as she softly spoke "Can I have a look at the contract?" They looked into each other's eyes.. She was lost in those warm depths as he felt another jolt go trough him as her eyes looked so much compassion there, a strange look, which he could not fathom, but that set his heart thud a little harder... feeling relief course through him, he moved breaking the eye contact as he leaned forward and removed the Manila folder and handed her the copy... She made herself comfortable as he took that opportunity to move to his laptop and removing a USB drive, made an effort to focus and copy for her all the files of the plans and layout of this building... but failing as his eyes kept darting to her fingers which held the stubborn curl at her ears, constantly pushing it behind and nibbling that lower lip marauding it as well as his insides... His cell buzzed as it vibrated.. he grabbed it quickly as if it were his lifeline, her eyes flying to his hands for just a moment before they went back to her skimming in close scrutiny...
Her heart fluttered as her fingers brushed when he had handed her the copy of the contract... At first she felt the deep regard of his disturbing gaze, but she managed to stay and appear calm... felt like she had achieved an big feat... and then slowly had begun reading the technical jargon.. most of which she could not understand.. her second track as id snickering said..'har har har... thought you studied interior designing..' she almost swore at that voice and twisting her stupid curl at her ear which refused to remain there... tried to read on... the words dancing and jumping.. not at all making sense as he seemed as cool as a cucumber as he typed away busily at his laptop... the movement of the hair sprinkled hands in tandem sometimes with the racing of her heart as she heard the soft tapping of his fingers on the keys... click clikc.. clickeety click.. click.. click.. clickckkettty click... Thankfully his cell buzzed and that saved her from this pretence of reading... as she heard him softly speak... "Ravi.. yes tell me.. Oh.. no no.. not in the hospital.. am off... hmm.. uh hmm.. now? Urrrmm hang on a second.. " Muting it with the press of a button, he asked.. "Do you have any plans? It is my friend and he insists that we meet for dinner outside... " Hoping against hope in his heart for her to agree and felt a rushing surge of pleasure as she bit her lip but nodded in assent... her second track was screeching... 'haar haar, Chaand.. Chaand..' she shook her head to stop that voice... as if warning with her eyes but the feeling of relief remained as she thought Ravi was better than meeting this... Chaand...
She loved "the Club" too and used to frequently visit here whenever she visited Bombay... she quickly adjusted her dupatta this time taking care that she hung on to its edges... and grabbing her purse moved towards him as he lead her towards the reception. He smiled at the receptionist and this time she made sure her eyes remained on the ground.. He spoke softly informing there to expect a guest named Dr. Ravi Rai shortly. He informed them that they were to meet him in the Garden Grill... As the receptionist noted and addressed him "Sure Dr. Khandelwal, enjoy your time here at The Club, Good evening..." He nodded and moved to place his hand at her elbow as she spoke.. "You enjoy it don't you.. the whole of the female clan falling at your feet..." The hand at her elbow tightened ever so lightly showing her that her quip had indeed made its mark... but his face did not show an iota of the ire that he felt... he spoke with a smile, occasionally nodding at staff who knew him... "You forget, that it is only you who has this privilege of being my fiance..." She breathed in deeply suddenly feeling very jealous as the words slipped out before she could stop.. wanting to get back at him, make him feel hurt as she was hurting within... "No.. wrong again Dr. Khandelwal.. I am second.. Natasha was" His feet jerked to a stop as she did too.. at the end of a hallway which led to the Garden Grill..
his eyes flaring as his face darkened and a scowl appeared there... those three furrows making their appearance as he grabbed her arm and twisting her to face him, he merely pushed her slamming her back against the wall.. hoarsely rasped out... "Leave her out of this!! You get me!! Jingles.. this will be my only warning.. you get me?" She was now very angry herself and tried to shirk out of his strong grip without results.. and spoke through her teeth softly as well.. "swell.. it is alright for you to drag Manu into this.. but I am not allowed to speak about Natasha.." Knowing she was crossing all limits.. but she felt very jealous and hurt... hurt that he loved Natasha and she was still hopelessly and madly in love with him... His eyes darkened even further with fury at her mention of Manu and he rasped out... "Jingles.. I am warning you... Natasha is dead.. God, not even alive to defend herself.. dammit... and.. and..." he suddenly stopped as a tear rolled down and another gathered in her eye... as she furiously blinked and looked adamantly at his furious face... And all of a sudden he found his hands leaving their hurting grip of her upper arms to slide slowly to cup her face...
Stunned she could not move as she did not expect his hands to slide upwards.. least realising that another tear had escaped... as he with the pads of his thumbs gently erased one then the other and still cupping her face spoke in a very gentle tone... "Dammit Jingles.. why .. why do we fight so much.. can.. can we not just call it a truce?" This was her undoing as the tension from the previous two days got to her and more tears gathered there as he groaned on seeing the oncoming deluge and she bit her lip even more harder to stop from crying but to no avail as a soft gasp escaped in the form of a sob... her hands behind her back clawing on the hard marble wall... as he pulled her roughly into his arms to console her... and as if it were the most natural thing to do, her arms encircled his waist and she poured out all her woes and misery into the strong chest of this man.. whom she loved so dearly... luckily they were alone and he felt a constricting movement in the region of his heart as she hiccuped and he softly shushed her... After what seemed like eons, they were alerted suddenly by footsteps and she feeling very gauche looked away as she parted away from him... softly murmuring.. "I.. I.. will be back soon... " He nodded and avoided looking into her eyes and nodded as a couple of staff moved there... she followed the signs to the restroom as he moved towards the entrance of the Garden Grill to reserve a table for 4...
She looked at the ravaged remains in her face... her eyes seemed red, and a little puffy.. she sniffed hard and then shaking he head for her stupidity knowing that it had been wrong on her part to drag Natasha... reprimanding herself, making mental note for apologising to him later... she splashed cold water onto her face.. refreshed after that, she repaired the damages done with a little moisturiser and a dash of her favourite pink gloss... she took a deep breath and moved to join him... As she moved out to the open place, she looked around when a uniformed staff approached her and asked with keen eyes on her... "May I help you mam?" she smiled at him and spoke as she spotted him... "Its okay.. I found the person I was looking for... thanks.." unknowingly creating a difficult situation for that poor suited waiter... as he blew inside his collar.. 'Gosh man she is so beautiful' But her eyes were on one person alone as he seemed to be hugging another woman.. she looked pretty as she smiled and sweetly pecked his cheek... 'The nerve of him... God.. and that too in public!! humph..' The consternation back onto her face as her eyes again spitted fire she approached the couple as the woman turned with happy interested looking dark eyes and Shantanu with his quizzical gaze... but frowned as he saw the fore back in them thinking 'What now... Jingles...' and was taken aback as she moved to him and leaned up to kiss his cheek murmuring.. "Sorry Darling, took so long.. won't you introduce me to your friend?"
Chandni was taken aback, but she smiled warmly as she loved this girl at first sight.. 'Wow.. bro.. where did you find this pearl!? Wow.. her eyes are shooting daggers at me...' Shantanu could only open and close his mouth before she too it upon herself to proffer her hand.. and giving Chandni killing looks as she murmured "Khanak Khanna.. and you?" Chandni smiled almost laughing out aloud, knowing for sure there was more to this girl than that which she displayed and smiling spoke sweetly... "Wow.. you are beautiful.. Chandni... Dr. Chandni Rai... Shaan's..." She was interrupted when another voice boomed from behind them... "Shaan.. sorry yaar... had to take this call.. its about tomorrow's surgery... so.. aah I see we get to finally meet her..."
Khanak wanted the earth to part while Chandni wanted to poke her husband's chest as he least realising was making things more awkward for Khanak and Shantanu was simply enjoying her discomfiture... knowing that she would later on fume and rant and rave... but somewhere in his heart he felt a strange warmth that pleased him... Ravi's entry had forced her to jerk as Ravi joined them adn did what he usually did... "aah.. I see my sweet wife has met her bhabhi-to-be... Shaan mera bhi intro karvado yaar... Bhabhiji itni sundar jo hain..." And then he had spoken softly... "Khanak.. this is my close friend and colleague.. Dr. Ravi Rai... and this is Khanak..." Ravi unwittingly placed hia arm around Chandni but looked at Shantanu and spoke.. "she is lovely.. but meriwaali jyaada sunder hain.." Looking smilingly at Khanak he spoke... clearing the misunderstanding in one statement... "Bhabhiji, don't mind uh.. but I love my wife.. she is my life.." Chandni slapped his arm but turned to make Khanak comfortable from then on.. softly chatting with her... liking the very sight of this girl instantly as Khanak too warmed towards her feeling he ire recede and she murmured softly back to Chaand.. who had insisted that she call her her that... like her raakhi bro did...
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He parked the car in her parking lot and she sat there quietly as she took a deep breath and spoke softly.. "Doc.. I am sorry... I.. I.." She was not at all prepared for the hand that cupped her face and turned her head to look deeply into her eyes... as he rapsed... "No.. don't.. lets not fight.. Jingles... I.. I understand..." Her heart fluttered as she hoped that he did not feel her fluttering pulse where he cupped her face... Thankfully though he let go of her face as she breathed deeply in relief as he continued handing her the copy of the contract... "Go through this.. at your own time.. and let me know if you want anything changed or added.. okay?" She nodded and taking the folder made a move to get out of the car when his hand again stopped her as he spoke in a strangely gruff rasp... "Thanks Jingles... for everything..." She breathed deeply again and this time spoke in a soft voice looking at him "Please Doc.. you don't need to say thanks either... I..as you said earlier... lets call a truce... here..." He nodded and she bade him a soft "Good night... I enjoyed the meal and your.. friends.. they are very nice.." She avoided looking into his amused gaze and fumbled with the lock when he spoke again and this time she was rooted to the spot with his hoarse baritone... "Did I tell you, that you look beautiful tonight Jingles?" Stunned she could only helplessly look into that dark brown gaze as her insides melted.. a fire rising within her core and she breathed in short gasps.. as he gently leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek softly.. speaking against the silk there... inhaling the sweet fragrance of roses... "Good night Jingles..."
Edited by jparker - 14 years ago
